Chicago law firm McDermott Will & Emery eliminates free coffee

The question is being debated among law firm leaders after one disagreement at Chicago law firm McDermott Will & Emery became public, thanks to the legal gossip blog Above the Law.

Quentin "George" Heisler, head of McDermott's Chicago office, e-mailed colleagues on Wednesday that the firm will no longer provide free coffee in its 45th-floor lobby. The firm also will suspend evening food services. Heisler said in the memo that the firm will keep single-serve coffee machines on each attorney floor and make beverages available for client meetings.

His memo was leaked to the legal blog, as was an e-mailed response from another partner that was inadvertently sent to everyone in the office.

"George, I know this will save some dollars, but they are small dollars. For the small savings, I think this is a mistake. To me it sends a message of desperation," the e-mailer said.

The partner's name was not on the e-mail as it appeared in Above the Law. But sources at the firm confirmed the contents of the e-mail and its sender: John Hendrickson, chair of the firm's compensation committee and a member of its management committee. He did not return messages seeking comment.

Heisler said in an interview that the food and beverage cutbacks are not a sign that the firm is in financial trouble. It was more of a symbolic move that was made in conjunction with other budget cuts, he said.

Last month, McDermott laid off 60 associates and 89 staff members across the firm. The firm also canceled a black-tie event at the Field Museum this weekend to celebrate its 75th anniversary, Heisler said. The money saved from the party will supplement severance benefits to staff employees who lost their jobs, Heisler said."We are looking across the board at expenses that can be pared without diminishing the quality of legal services to our clients," he said. "Clients want to know their providers are sacrificing in the same way as they are."

He added: "John [Hendrickson] certainly appreciates what we did, and he now understands why we are taking [the food service] out."

Still, limiting coffee and food for lawyers who are expected to bill 1,800 to 2,000 hours a year may cost the firm in efficiency if McDermott lawyers end up going to Starbucks.

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asachdev@tribune.com

Laying out the law: To read previous notebooks on the legal profession by Ameet Sachdev, go to chicagotribune.com/insidelegal